I can't even explain how much I don't like measuring. I don't have a problem with using patterns if I can just pin it and cut, but knowing that I have to measure anything just makes me not want to do it. For that reason, this (and most of my tutorials) don't have measurements. It wouldn't really make sense for this one anyways, because dolls come in all shapes and sizes! (My seamstress mother probably isn't happy about that...she taught me better.)
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So, this is my EASY doll dress tutorial. No measuring, no buttons or buttonholes, no elastic.
Here's what you need:
-Sewing Machine
-Shirt or dress that fits your doll
-Scissors
-Scrap Fabric (should be twice as long as your doll, and a little wider than the shirt/dress)
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STEP 1: Cut the dress
Fold your fabric in half, then lay your shirt/dress at the crease. You will use the crease as the shoulders so there is no need to cut your fabric into two. As shown in the photo, trim away the armpit in a long triangle to give the dress it's shape.
STEP 2: Cut the neck hole
Make a small cut (about 1/2 inch long) in the center of the fold (A), then use that opening to insert the scissors and cut along the fold- use the shirt to determine how long this opening should be.
(This photo also shows Step 3 already completed.)
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STEP 3: Cut the back opening
This is the time to choose which side you want to be the back. On the side you choose to be the back, continue straight down the 1/2 inch cut, using the shirt as a guide as to how far down this cut needs to be (about 2-3 inches). It only needs to be large enough to allow the doll's head to fit through the top, so you can test it by putting the doll's head through this hole to be sure it's big enough.
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STEP 4: Seams
Sew simple, one stitch lines to make seams along the sleeves and bottom of the dress.
(Photo shows the entire piece of cut fabric layed out, arrows pointing to the edges to be seamed)
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STEP 4: Edging the neck and back
For the back, fold the edge over at a slight angle and sew a straight stitch. I let the foot hold the bottom edge down for me, then back stitched a few times to help strengthen the fabric right at the split.
For the front of the neck, I folded the edge over at a slight angle just like the back, and sewed another set of straight stitches.
To complete the back of the neckline, I repeated the angled-fold and single straight stitch.
So, with all of that done, the entire back/neck opening now looks like a Thor's Hammer:
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STEP 5: Closing the edges
Line up your fabric with right-sides touching, then sew it up with a simple stitch.
(Right sides=the side you want to be on the outside of your dress).
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LAST STEP: Turn the dress right-side out, and put it on the doll!
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My daughter is going through a learning phase in which she is practicing taking her doll's clothes off and putting them on, which is why I made this dress as quickly and simply as possible, so I chose not to finish the back with any kind of closure (it wouuld get dammaged from use). However, you can easily add velco, buttons, magnets, or just stitch it right up the seam so that it can't be taken off.
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